Neurotransmitter synthesis qualities etc

What class of neurotransmitter is Acetylcholine (ACh)?

Amine (Quaternary Amine)

Where in the brain is Acetylcholine (ACh) synthesized?

Basal forebrain

What molecules and enzyme synthesize Acetylcholine (ACh)?

Choline + Acetate using choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)

How does Botulinum toxin (Botox) affect Acetylcholine (ACh)?

Prevents ACh release, stopping muscular contractions

How does Black Widow Spider Venom (alpha-latrotoxin) impact ACh?

Causes massive over-release of ACh, depleting ACh levels

How does Curare affect Acetylcholine transmission?

Blocks skeletal nicotinic ACh receptors, causing respiratory paralysis

How do Alzheimer's medications impact Acetylcholine?

Inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to prevent ACh breakdown

What class of neurotransmitter is Dopamine (DA)?

Amine / Monoamine (Catecholamine)

Where is Dopamine synthesized in the brain?

Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)

What is the exact synthesis pathway for Dopamine?

Tyrosine -> L-Dopa -> Dopamine

What motor pathway originates in the Substantia Nigra and is lost in Parkinson's?

Mesostriatal / Nigrostriatal pathway (projects to Dorsal Striatum)

What pathway projects from the VTA to the Ventral Striatum for reward and reinforcement?

Mesolimbic pathway

What pathway projects from the VTA to the Prefrontal Cortex?

Mesocortical pathway

How does Cocaine affect Dopamine in the synapse?

Blocks the Dopamine Transporter (DAT) to inhibit dopamine reuptake

What class of neurotransmitter is Norepinephrine (NE)?

Amine / Monoamine (Catecholamine)

Where is Norepinephrine synthesized?

Locus Coeruleus and Lateral Tegmental Area

What enzyme converts Dopamine into Norepinephrine?

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (with ascorbate)

How do Beta-blockers work to reduce physical anxiety symptoms?

They act as NE receptor antagonists (block NE receptors)

What class of neurotransmitter is Serotonin (5-HT)?

Amine / Monoamine (Indoleamine)

Where in the brain is Serotonin synthesized?

Raphe Nuclei (midline of midbrain and brainstem)

What enzyme converts Tryptophan to 5-HTP in Serotonin synthesis?

Tryptophan hydroxylase

How does Telotristat ethyl (Xermelo) impact Serotonin levels?

Inhibits tryptophan hydroxylase, blocking serotonin synthesis

How do SSRIs work in the synapse?

Inhibit serotonin reuptake transporters

How does LSD cause visual hallucinations according to the slides?

Activates serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (abundant in visual cortex)

What class of neurotransmitter is Glutamate?

Amino Acid (Primary Excitatory Neurotransmitter)

Where is Glutamate synthesized?

Mitochondria in the soma of neurons and glial cells

What enzyme converts Glutamine into Glutamate?

Glutaminase (GA)

What class of neurotransmitter is GABA?

Amino Acid (Primary Inhibitory Neurotransmitter)

What enzyme converts Glutamate into GABA?

Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD)

How do Benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Lorazepam) work?

Mimic / enhance GABA activity to reduce anxiety, induce sleep, and relax muscles

How does Alcohol (Ethanol) affect GABA-A receptors?

Binds to GABA-A receptors and enhances their response to GABA

How does Caffeine increase wakefulness on a presynaptic level?

Competes with and blocks presynaptic adenosine receptors to prevent adenosine from suppressing release of ACh, Glutamate, and NE

How does Reserpine deplete catecholamines (DA, 5-HT, NE)?

Inhibits VMAT so NTs cannot be stored in vesicles, leaving them to be destroyed by MAO

What do Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) do inside the nerve terminal?

Inhibit MAO enzyme from degrading neurotransmitters inside the terminal

How does Tetrodotoxin (from pufferfish) disrupt nerve conduction?

Blocks voltage-gated Na+ channels

How do Gas neurotransmitters (Nitric Oxide & Carbon Monoxide) signal differently than others?

Produced on demand in dendrites, have no membrane receptors, and act as retrograde messengers